Effects of Resistant Starch Interventions on Metabolic Biomarkers in Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes Adults

Simple lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to maintaining a physically active way of life, the diet has become one of the bases in managing TD2M. Due to many studies linking the ability of resistant starch (RS) to a substantial role in enhancing the nutritional quality of food and disease prevention, the challenge of incorporating RS into the diet and increasing its intake remains. Therefore, we conducted this review to assess the potential benefits of RS on metabolic biomarkers in pre-diabetes and diabetes adults based on available intervention studies over the last decade. Based on the conducted review, we observed that RS intake correlates directly to minimize possible effects through different mechanisms for better control of pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions. In most studies, significant changes were evident in the postprandial glucose and insulin incremental area under the curve (iAUC). Comparative evaluation of RS consumption and control groups also showed differences with inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, and E-selectin. Only RS2 and RS3 were extensively investigated and widely reported among the five reported RS types. However, a proper comparison and conclusion are deemed inappropriate considering the variations observed with the study duration, sample size, subjects and their metabolic conditions, intervention doses, and the intervention base products. In conclusion, this result provides interesting insights into the potential use of RS as part of a sustainable diet in diabetes management and should be further explored in terms of the mechanism involved.

Influencing Factors Associated with Delayed Initiation of Insulin Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at The Diabetes Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Ethiopia

Background Guidelines recommend the initiation of insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who failed on maximum dose of oral medications. However, time to initiation is inconsistent due to different barriers resulting in delay and thus leads to failure to achieve glycemic control which in turn may lead to different complications. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing the delayed initiation of insulin among patients with type 2 diabetes being managed at the Diabetes Clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Methods A qualitative descriptive study design was employed. Data was collected using in-depth interviews with 27 participants, including patients and healthcare providers. Audio-recorded data was transcribed and then thematically analyzed. Results Different factors influencing the delayed initiation of insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were revealed. Patient factors included beliefs about the necessity of insulin and concerns related to starting insulin. Physician factors included perceived patient’s situation and lack of clinical competency. Health institution factors included inadequate laboratory set up and absence of contextual guidelines for diabetes management including insulin initiation. Conclusions The study findings indicated different influencing factors some of which were similar to those reported from other settings while there were others which somehow were unique to study setting. These are indicative of the need to implement interventions such as strengthening the patients’ diabetes health education program that is considerate of the religious, cultural, and social aspects of the society.

Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Physical Function: A Growing Problem

The focus in diabetes care has traditionally been around the optimisation of the glycaemic control and prevention of complications. However, the prevention of frailty and improvement in physical function have now emerged as new targets of diabetes management. This is mainly driven by the significant adverse impact that early onset frailty and decline in physical function have on health outcomes, functional independence, and quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). There is an increasing emphasis in the expert consensus and management algorithms to improve physical function in people with T2D, predominantly through lifestyle interventions, including exercise and the control of modifiable risk factors. Trials of novel glucose-lowering therapies (GLTs) also now regularly assess the impact of these novel agents on measures of physical function within their secondary outcomes to understand the impact that these agents have on physical function. However, challenges remain as there is no consensus on the best method of assessing physical function in clinical practice, and the recognition of impaired physical function remains low. In this review, we present the burden of a reduced physical function in people with T2D, outline methods of assessment used in healthcare and research settings, and discuss strategies for improvement in physical function in people with T2D.

Effectiveness and Practicality of eKTANG as a Digital Treat-ment for Diabetes and Relevant Influence Factors

Background: This work explored the effect of eKTANG, a new healthcare mode for diabetes patients, on diabetes management. Methods: Allowing general utilization of medical service and health management based on Internet, eKTANG obtained the precise data like blood glucose and blood pressure examined by an intelligent glucometer, from which doctors and the nursing team will promptly analyze the data and return feedback to the patients. In our study, overall 204 patients receiving eKTANG management over 3 months in First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from May 2019 to Aug 2020 were enrolled as the research objects, with data collected from patient records. Results: Through the biochemical test on relevant indexes of blood glucose, it was observed that FBG, PBG, HbA1c, TG, TC, LDL levels after management were lower than before whereas HDL expression after were lower than before. Contrasted with substandard group, standard group performed younger age, lower proportion of the married, decreased proportion of microvascular and macrovascular complications, longer course of disease, more frequent glucose monitoring, declined time of hyperglycemia and time of alarms, elevated time of euglycemia, increased proportion of diet control, more amount of exercise and higher compliance, as the number of patients choosing oral medicine in standard group was more than substandard group. The course of disease and time of hyperglycemia were risk factors of HbA1c standard reaching whereas frequency of glucose monitoring (≥1 time/week) and time of euglycemia were protective factors. Conclusion: eKTANG effectively improved diabetes management.

Time from diagnosis does not improve diabetes care knowledge for older adults with type 2 diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease development. Knowledge of diabetes management is one tool in helping individuals with diabetes to control their blood glucose levels. The goal of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between self-rated understanding of diabetes management and time since diagnosis, and whether there were differences in self-rated understanding based on time since diagnosis. This study used an observational, cross-sectional, self-report design with two delivery options. Participants were adults over 50 years of age participating either online or at a senior apartment. A survey was developed to include self-rated diabetes management knowledge, relatives with diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, as well as lifestyle behaviors. The data were filtered to include only those with a self-reported diabetes diagnosis, and analyzed using non-parametric statistics, the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s rho. There was no relationship or difference between time since diagnosis and self-rated understanding of diabetes management. Continuing education is needed to help people with diabetes to manage their condition, even years after diagnosis. Failure to understand diabetes management is likely to lead to uncontrolled diabetes, which is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Accessibility and Openness to Diabetes Management Support via Mobile Phones: A Survey of People with Type 1 Diabetes Using Advanced Diabetes Technologies (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Little is known about the feasibility of mobile health (mHealth) support among people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using advanced diabetes technologies including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and hybrid closed-loop insulin pumps (HCLs). OBJECTIVE To evaluate patient access and openness to receiving mHealth diabetes support in people with T1D using CGMs/HCLs. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among T1D patients using CGMs or HCLs managed in an academic medical center. Participants reported information regarding their mobile device usage, cellular call/text message/internet connectivity, and openness to various channels of mHealth communication (smartphone applications or “apps”, text messages, and interactive voice response calls or IVR calls). Participants’ demographic characteristics and CGM data were collected from medical records. Analyses focused on differences in openness to mHealth and mHealth communication channels across groups defined by demographic variables and measures of glycemic control. RESULTS Among all participants (n=310; 64% female; mean age: 45 (SD:16)), 98% reported active cellphone use, and 80% were receptive to receiving mHealth support to improve glucose control. Among participants receptive to mHealth support, 98% were willing to share CGM glucose data for mHealth diabetes self-care assistance. Most (71%) were open to receiving messages via apps, 56% were open to text messages, and 12% were open to IVR calls. Older participants were more likely to prefer text messages (P=0.009) and IVR (P=0.03) than younger participants. CONCLUSIONS Most people with T1D who use advanced diabetes technologies have access to cell phones and are receptive to receiving mHealth support to improve diabetes control. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable